World Down Syndrome Day

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. March 21st provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome around the world.
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March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, which has been officially recognised by the United Nations since 2012.

On this day, people all around the world celebrate the lives and achievements of people with Down syndrome. March 21st provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome around the world.

The international theme for World Down Syndrome Day 2025, is a call to Governments to Improve Our Support Systems.

Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with these social media assets – share with the hashtag #celebrateWDSD


How to get involved

Join in with us to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and advocate for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome on 21 March.

You can get involved in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by organising an awareness event. Many people around the world hold a Lots of Socks event or organise a morning tea. Ask your workplace or school to join in by holding a ‘Lots of Socks’ day.

WDSD is a unique annual opportunity for the global Down syndrome community to connect.

We connect so that we can:

•         Share ideas, experiences and knowledge,

•         Empower each other to advocate for equal rights for people with Down syndrome, and

•         Reach out to key stakeholders to bring about positive change.

Ideas for getting involved

We want to get people talking about World Down Syndrome Day on the 21st March. We can do this by wearing bright and colourful socks! You can wear official lots of socks, branded socks, or any other pair of socks to make a statement: bright socks, long socks, printed socks, or maybe even three socks for three chromosomes. Wear your own crazy socks or order Lots of Socks at our online shop.  

Ask your workplace or school to join in by holding a ‘Lots of Socks’ day.

We have an awareness and inclusion package for schools and for workplaces.

Download our Lots of Socks awareness package

Lots of Socks Day helps children respectfully understand the diversity in their world. The package aims to help learn about, accept and celebrate each person’s uniqueness.

Download our Awareness Package for schools here.

Download our Awareness Package for businesses and workplaces here.

Stories from World Down Syndrome Day

See all our stories

You can read stories of people with Down syndrome and their families here.

World Down Syndrome Day

Celebrate International World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March 2021 by selling our official socks for 2021.

Selling socks is a simple way to raise funds for your local Down Syndrome Association.  All funds raised will go towards your Local Down Syndrome Association to continue their work by supporting and empowering people with Down syndrome to have full access to social and economic inclusion.

A man stands next to his colourful artwork
Visit the Lots of Socks page